Elie Wiesel

Laura Balladares

Early Life

•Elie Wiesel was born in Sighet, Romania on September 30, 1929. In his home his family spoke Yiddish most of the time and also German, Hungarian, and Romanian. Wiesel had three siblings. His older sisters are Hilda and Beatrice and his younger sister Tzipora. His parents were Sarah Feig and Shlomo Wiesel.

World War II

•In 1944, Elie and his family, plus the rest of the town were placed in one of the two ghettos in Sieghet. On May 6, 1944 German army deported the Jewish Community in Sighet to Auschwitz- Birkenau. His inmate number was “A-7713,” which was tattooed on his left arm.

After the War

•After World War II Elie taught Hebrew and worked as a choirmaster. He also became a professional journalist. Elie learned another language which was French, which became the language he used mostly in writing.

Life in the U.S.A

•In 1955, Elie moved to New York City. In the U.S. Elie wrote over 40 books. Fiction and Non-Fiction. Wiesel’s writing is considered among the most important in Holocaust Literature. Elie won many literary prizes.

FUN FACTS Elie Wiesel speaks French. Wiesel has made his home in New York

City, and is now a United States citizen  Chairman of the United States

Holocaust Memorial Council from 1980 - 1986, Wiesel serves on numerous boards of trustees and advisors.